How early should I get to the airport? The complete guide

Arrive too late and you risk watching your plane leave without you. Arrive too early and you're stuck staring at the departure board for hours. So how early should you get to the airport? Here's the short answer, plus how it changes by airport, airline and time of year.

How early should I get to the airport? The short answer

Arrive at the airport 2 hours before a short-haul or domestic flight and 3 hours before a long-haul international flight. Add 30 to 60 minutes at busy times, at large hub airports or if you're checking bags. Bag drop usually closes 40 to 60 minutes before departure.

How early to get to the airport for international and domestic flights

How early to arrive at the airport depends mostly on two things: how far you're flying, and whether you have a bag to drop.

International flights need more time because of passport and document checks, and long-haul check-in usually closes earlier. British Airways, for example, closes check-in 60 minutes before long-haul flights and 45 minutes before short-haul flights at London Heathrow. Leaving or entering a passport-free zone, like Europe's Schengen Area, also adds a border check.

Domestic flights and flights within the Schengen Area are the quickest, as there's usually no passport control. Security queues, though, are the same for everyone.

There's no point arriving hours earlier than this, though. Bag drop desks usually only open 2 to 3 hours before departure. TUI notes that arriving any earlier won't mean you can check in or pass through security early.

Checked in online with hand luggage only? Then you can skip check-in and bag drop entirely and go straight to security. For a short-haul or domestic flight, we recommend arriving about 1.5 hours before departure. At a small airport on a quiet day, 1 hour can work, but it leaves no room for a particularly slow security queue or traffic or a delay on your way to the airport. Just keep in mind that security queues, passport control and the walk to the gate still apply, and the gate usually closes 20 to 30 minutes before departure.

When do check-in, bag drop and the gate close?

The time that really matters isn't take-off. It's when your airline stops accepting bags and closes the gate. Miss either and you won't fly, even if the plane is still on the ground.

The exact time for your flight is usually printed on your boarding pass or shown in the airline's app. It can differ by airport, so check before you leave home.

Big change for Ryanair passengers: from Tuesday 10 November 2026, Ryanair's check-in and bag drop desks close 60 minutes before departure instead of 40. Ryanair says this is to give passengers more time to get through security and passport queues. If you used to turn up with a bag 50 minutes before your flight, that's now too late.

Gate closing times are strict: once the gate closes, airlines won't wait for you, even if you can see the plane through the window. At Heathrow T5, British Airways also asks you to be through security at least 35 minutes before departure.

One more catch: easyJet says its timings are based on your scheduled departure time and still apply even if your flight is delayed. So a delay on the departure board is not a reason to turn up late.

When to arrive extra early

Not sure how early to be at the airport on a busy day? Add 30 to 60 minutes to the times above if any of these apply to you:

• School holidays, Christmas and public holidays: airports are at their busiest, and security queues can be much longer than usual.
• Early-morning flights: many flights leave in the first wave of the day, so bag drop and security get busy fast.
• You're travelling with children: pushchairs, car seats and little ones who need the toilet all take time.
• You need special assistance: book it in advance. British Airways, for example, asks you to request assistance at least 48 hours before you travel.
• You're crossing a border with extra checks: think non-EU passengers leaving the Schengen Area under EES, or US-bound flights with extra screening.
• You're flying from an airport you don't know: big hubs can mean long walks, terminal trains and confusing signs.
• You're dropping off a hire car or parking off-site: shuttle buses and car checks are easy to underestimate.

Leaving or entering Europe's Schengen Area? Non-EU travellers (from the UK, the US and elsewhere) now go through the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES). This means fingerprints and a photo at the border, and queues at some airports have grown much longer.

Wizz Air, for example, has advised British passengers to arrive three hours before flights home from Europe, rather than the usual two. If you hold a non-EU passport, give yourself an extra hour on these flights.

Tip: on an early flight, you may be able to drop your bags before your travel day. British Airways, for example, offers Overnight Bag Drop at Heathrow T5 for flights leaving before 10:00. Ask your airline what's available at your departure airport.

What happens if you miss your flight?

It depends on whose fault it was.

If you arrived too late, the airline usually doesn't have to help. Your ticket may be lost, and you'll often have to pay for a new flight or a rebooking fee. Speak to your airline's desk straight away, as some offer a cheaper same-day option.

If you were stuck in long security or passport queues, you're unlikely to get anything back from the airline, as the queues aren't under its control. If you followed the airline's advice on arrival times, though, your travel insurance may cover you, depending on your policy.

If you missed a connecting flight because your first flight was late, you may be entitled to compensation. Under European rules, this applies when both flights were on the same booking and you reached your final destination 3 or more hours late. Read more on our missed flight page.

You were on time, but your flight wasn't

You did everything right: arrived early, dropped your bags, cleared security. Then the departure board says "Delayed". At that point, the airline owes you.

While you wait, your airline must look after you. Depending on the length of the delay and the distance of your flight, that means food and drink, a way to make calls or send emails, and a hotel plus transport if you're stuck overnight. Keep receipts for anything you buy.

If you arrive 3 hours or more late, you could be entitled to compensation under EU261. They cover flights departing from the EU or UK, and flights into the EU or UK on a European airline:

Many other countries have their own passenger rights rules, too. See passenger rights for what applies to your flight.

The airline doesn't have to pay if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as severe weather or a security threat. But airlines often use this as an excuse when it doesn't apply.

You can also claim for older flights. How far back you can go depends on the country: in England and Wales, for example, it's up to six years. See the time limit for claiming flight delay compensation.

Was your flight delayed or cancelled? Check your flight in 2 minutes and see how much you could claim. We handle everything with the airline, and you pay nothing if we don't win.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I get to the airport for an international flight?

Arrive 3 hours before a long-haul international flight. For short-haul flights to Europe, 2 hours is usually enough.

How early do I need to be at the airport for a domestic flight?

For a domestic flight, 1.5 to 2 hours is usually enough. In the US, the TSA advises 2 hours. With hand luggage only and online check-in, you can often cut it closer at smaller airports.

Is 2 hours enough time at the airport?

For most short-haul and domestic flights, yes. For long-haul flights, at busy times, or at big hubs like Heathrow, Schiphol or major US airports, give yourself 3 hours.

What time should I get to the airport for a 6am flight?

Aim for around 4am for a short-haul flight. Check that bag drop is open that early, or use an overnight bag drop service if your airline offers one.

How long before a flight does check-in close?

Usually 40 to 60 minutes before departure, depending on the airline and airport. From 10 November 2026, Ryanair closes check-in and bag drop 60 minutes before departure.

How long before a flight does the gate close?

Usually 20 to 30 minutes before departure. easyJet and Ryanair close the gate 30 minutes before. British Airways asks you to be at the gate at least 20 minutes before.

How early should I get to the airport for a flight to the US?

Plan for 3 hours. Some airports, like Dublin, have US Preclearance, where you go through US immigration before you board, which adds time.

What happens if you miss a connecting flight?

If both flights were on one booking and your first flight was late, the airline has to get you to your destination on a later flight. You may also be owed compensation if you arrive 3 or more hours late. On separate tickets, the second airline doesn't have to help. See our missed flight page.

Can I arrive later if my flight is delayed?

No. Airlines like easyJet base check-in times on the original scheduled departure, even when a delay is shown. Delays can also shrink if the airline catches up time.